Can opener



y 1954 E. w. ANDERSON 2,677,881

CAN OPENER Filed Aug. 17, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet l y 11. 1954 E. w. ANERSON 2,677,881

CAN OPENER Filed Aug. 17 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 11, 1954 E. w.ANDERSON 2,677,331

CAN OPENER Filed Aug. 17 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 M 1954 E. w. ANDERSON2,677,881

CAN OPENER Filed Aug. 17 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG.5.

Patented. May 11, 1954 2,677,881

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAN OPENER Eric W. Anderson, Chicago, 111.,assignor to Dohm and Nelke Incorporated, St. Louis, .Mo., accr porationof Missouri Application August '17, 19.49, Serial No. 110,791

6 Claims. (Cl. 30-55) 1 This invention relates to a can opener for '2,there is shown at numeral-I a cabinet whichis conveniently opening avariety of sizes of filled supported at the rear on casters 3 and at thecans. front on legs 5. When "upright, the legs 5 pre- Briefly, theinvention consists in apparatus for vent the device from creeping, butit may be commercial can-opening operations in quantity, 5 tiltedbackward on casters 3 for trundling moveand consists of a portablecabinet which is tiltment to any desired position. To the top of theable from an upright position on supporting legs, cabinet is bolted ayoke 7 which has other priand casters, to a tilted position on thecasters for mary functions but is also used as a handle for movement,the whole unit being adapted conconveniently eifecting the stated tiltand moveveniently to be grasped and tilted by a cutter- 10 ment. In theleft-hand portions 'of the cabinet holding yoke. The cabinet containspedal-op- I is certain mechanism described below for re erated mechanismfor moving cans into cooperacipmcating a upp rt or table 9, thismechtion with the cutter on the yoke which is selecanism being undercontrol 'of a left-foot pedal tively controlled from a convenientlyoperable II. This mechanism is also adjustable from a hand lever to makeits pedal-operatedcomponent manual operating lever 13 on the left sideof effective for various types of cutters which are the cabinet. Thisadjusts the mechanism operiequired for various sizes of cansaccommodated. ated by pedal H to force small cans into associa- Otherfeatures will be in part apparent and in m n w h n yp f cutter h a shownn npart painted t hereinafter eral at numeral [5 (Fig. '1), or foradjusting the The invention accordingly comprises the eleechanism toforce large cans into association merits and combinations of elements,features of With another type of cutter head shown in genconstruction,and arrangements of parts which eral at numeral ll (Fig.2)

will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter On the right side ofthe cabinet I is a repta l c e I9 having a top opening 2| convenientlyFig. 1 is a perspective view of themachine from t dal Cans wh ch aredropped into the its left front, showing the use of a cutter mechaoreceptacle l9 through pen n 2| are retained nism for smaner cans;therein until flattened by the crushing mecha- Fig. 2 is a view similarto Fig. 1, but showing the which Operative m pedal 23. The remachinefrom the right front, showing the use of ceptaele s a lower s ctedopenin at l 29 a cutter mechanism for larger cans; I which does not showin Figs. 1 and 2, but, does Fig. 8 is a front elevation in orthographicpro: :1; j'ection, showing the machine with a cutter for Scribed- ThisOpening is O positioned and is large cans and parts in retractedpositions; of such limited width and elongate shape that Fig. 4 is aleft-side view of Fig. 3; w p

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5 5 I 3" Was e p le Such assuggested'at 21. of Fig. 4, but showing the crusher parts in ex-It's'hould be noted before giving further detended crushing position;tailed description, that the parts of the appa- Fig 5 is a cross sectiontaken on line 5 of ratus are arranged for convenient operation by Fig 3b t showing parts in position for .operaan operator standing in front ofit. He may tion upon small cans; employ one or the other for operationof the Fig. 7 is a detail section taken on line .'I 7 pedals H and 23, hleft hand for operating the of Fig. 6;

Fig. Sis a-detail longitudinal section. of a cutter ns c s to and fromthe table 9 and for phead for smaller cans; ping cans into thereceptacle [9. Crushed cans F159 is a plan View of Fig and, need not behandled until removed from the pile Fig. 10 is a detail section takenonline lfi-l0 2 The pedals II and 23 extend from an openof Fig 9 ing 29in such a way that; the reactions required Similar reference charactersindicate correr Operating them are Substantially pp ed to sponding partsthroughout the several views of the legs 5, So that the Ina-Chine does ncreep the drawings. during operation. On the other hand, the ma-Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and chine'may be easily m v dby grasping the'yoke 1 and tilting it backward, whereupon it trundled onthe casters 3 to any desired new cation.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3-6, it will be seen that thecan table 9 is carried upon a stem 3| which is vertically movable in ahearing 33 extending down from the top 35 of the cabinet. The lower endof the stem 3| is hollow for the rocking reception of a push rod 31, thelatter being pivoted at 39 to a rocker 4|. At its other end, the rockeris pivoted at 43 to the clevis of a connecting rod 45, the latter beingpivoted at 41 to an operating pedal arm 49 which carries the pedal Thepedal arm is pivoted at 5| to a bracket 53 attached to a bottom piece 55at tached to the cabinet I. A spring 51, which is anchored at 59 andattached to the pedal arm 49 at 41, serves to bias the pedal arm 49upward to let down the table 9. i

The rocker 4| is unusual in that it does not rock on a fixed pivot. Therocking arrangement is shown best in Figs. 4, 6 and '1. It consists in afixed bracket 5| which is braced by a rod 63. This bracket carries anarcuate slot 65 for accommodating the movement of a cross pin 61, onwhich is a pivot roller 59. The pin 91 is carried upon coordinate arms1|, keyed to a rock shaft 13, the latter being carried in bearings ofthe bracket 6!. Rock shaft 13 passes to the outside of the cabinet I,where it is provided with the lever l3 keyed thereto. These parts 1|, 13and I3 constitute a lever assemblyfl Thus when the lever I3 isoscillated, the coordinate levers 1| oscillate, to move the pin 61 inthe slot 65. Therefore, the pivot roller 59. may assume selectedpositions at opposite ends of the slot 65 which may be compared in Figs.4 and 6.

Selective positioning of the pivot roller 69 controls the manner inwhich the rocker arm 4| will operate in response to depression of thepedal arm 49. This is accomplished by arranging a slot 11 in the rocker4| within which the pivot roller 69 fits. Bracket 9| has two side cheeks19 sandwiching the rocker arm 4| thus determining its plane of motion.The pivot roller 99 in its position in slot 11 is also sandwichedbetween the cheeks 19 and is held captive, the slots 65 being narrowerthan the roller diameter. When the pivot roller 69 takes up a rearwardposition (handle l3 back) such as shown in Fig. 4, italso takes up arearward position in the slot 11. When the pivot roller 69 takes up aforward position in the slot 65 (handle l3 forward), it also takes up aposition at the front end of the slot 11. In the former position (Fig.4), rocker 4| when oscillated by depression of the pedal arm 49 willprovide a high lift for the pivot 39 and hence for the table 9. In thelatter position (Fig. 6) the same rocker 4| when oscillated bydepression of the pedal arm 49 will provide a low lift for the pivot 39and hence for the table 9. In proceeding between its extreme positionsthe pivot means 51, 69 may move rapidly. It is held in either of itsextreme positions by the overcentering detent means constituted by theslots 65 and 61. The end of rocker 4| at pin 43 is detained againstlateral shift when in upward position. This is ef fected by detentrecesses 42 in the cheeks 19, which recesses act as holding sockets forthe upper clevis-end of link 45. This detent means prevents the rocker4| from moving back and forth with the movement of levers 1|. The formof the slot 11 is concave upward, thereby causing its ends to act alsoas detents so that once the lever I3 is thrown either backward or formaybe overhang and the ward it will so remain, with the result that thedesired pivot position of roller 69 will be retained. Hence the linkage49, 45, 4|, 31, controlling table 9, will after setting retain either ofits two positions for high lift of table 9 (Fig. 4) or lowerlift of thattable (Fig. 6). For the high-lift operation, the table starts from alower elevation (Figs 3 and 4) than the starting elevation for thelowlift operation (Fig. 6). This in effect increases the can-receivingthroat of the machine between table, which is for accommodating largercans.

The purpose of the variable-lift operation of the table 9 is to lift asmall can a short distance when the lever H1 is forward (Fig. 1) or alarge can a greater distance when the lever I3 is rearward (Fig. 2). Asstated, the lowering of the starting position of table 9 forlarge-stroke operation provides for acceptance of longer cans. Thegreater stroke of movement for larger cans is desired by reason of thefact that a cutter is re quired for these which requires a longeractuating stroke than is the case for smaller cans. The cutterassemblies |5 (small can) and I1 (large can) are interchangeable, asillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Each assembly includes a supporting rod 8|or 82 adapted to be fastened in an opening 03 in the overhang 85 of theyoke 1. The rods may be interchangeably fastened by a hand screw Thecutter assembly l5 for small cans will first be described, this beingshown in detail in Figs. 8-10. It consists of a head 09 recessed asshown at 9|. On the one side of the recess is a semicircular positioningand guide shoe 93. In the recess 9| is a flexible band type saw bladewhich is held in position from the inside by a split spring ring 91. Ascrew-operated wedge 99 under control of an adjusting nut |0| cooperateswith the split I03 in the ring 91. When the nut |0| is turned so as todraw up the wedge 99, the ring 91 is expanded radially to wedge thecutter blade 95 against the sides of the recess 9|. Passing through anopening I05 in the head 89 is a springretracted hand punch I01, by meansof which any heads removed from the cans by the cutter blade 95 may bepunched out of the latter. As will appear, cutting action occurs when acan properly positioned on the table 9 by guide 93 is lifted by risingaction of the table, to have its head pushed into the cutter 95. It willbe seen that the cutter blade 95, for small cans, has several relativelyshallow teeth, which require for complete lid removal only ashort-stroke action for the can lift, which corresponds to thearrangement of the parts shown in Figs. 1 and 6. The form of opener forlarge cans is shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, wherein the shorter supportingrod 82 is provided with a head I09, the rim of which is recessed asshown at Ill to accept two semicircular spade-type cutters H3, thecutting edges of which are deep and angular, as indicated in Fig. 4. Asplit holding ring is shown at 5 adapted to be expanded by the expansionbolt 1. This bolt is of the same general type as that described inconnection with Fig. 10, and consequently requires no furtherexplanation beyond the showing in the drawings. After inserting thecutters H3 into the recess Ill and the expansion ring H5, the cuttersare held in place by drawing up the expansion bolt H1 so as to expandthe split ring H5, thus anchoring the cutters.

A semicircular positioning and guide shoe H9 also depends from the headI09. No knockout means is shown. in connection with this-form ofcoverybut it will. be understood that one may be used. With the cutterdescribed, knockout" 3; and 4, wherein the pivot roller 69 is-back inthe groove 65, thus providing a greater stroke of'lifting. action forthe. table 9.

After oneend ofa can is removed, it will be emptied. Itzmay then beinverted andthe other end removed, after'which the-can is dropped intothe: receptacle I9:. This receptacle isconstituted by. spaced walls I2I,I23, a ribbed end wall I25.

and a bottom I 21, the latter extending to an open slot. or narrowdischarge opening I29. Movable to and fromthe opening I29 is a ram I3I-carried on rollers I33. This ram is supported also by guiding pinsI35'which slide in fixed cylindric guides I31, the latter being: rigidlysupportedin bosses I39 attached to the framework of the cabinet I. Theram I3! is operated by a toggle linkage consistingof a link I II pivotedto the ram by means of pin I 43, and a second link I 45 pivoted to abracket I41 on the cabinet I by the pivot pin I49. These two links arepivoted by apin I 51 at a knee joint. Depending from the pin I5: is apull link I53 to which, at I55, is pinned a pull rod I51. The latter atits lower end is pinned as at. I59 to a second pedal'arm I$I whichcarries a pedal 23, the latter being also pivoted on the pin 5JI alreadydescribed. This arm is biased upward by a spring I63. When the pedal 23and arm ISI are. depressed, the pull rod i5? and link I55 pull down thepin i'5I so as to straighten the toggle MI, I 45, thus driving the rainI 3i. through the receptacle I9 to crush against the ribbed end wallI25. any empty container therein. The container will be crushed into aflat plane over the opening I29 so that when (by releasingthe pedal ,23)the spring I63 causes retraction of the ram, gravity will force theflattened can through the narrow opening I29 to the pile I21.

Complete operation is as follows:

By grasping the yoke 1 and tilting the cabinet I backward on wheels 3,it may be trundled into any desired position and then permitted togravitate back into upright position. Assuming that of the hand screw81. This cutter assembly, having the shallow-tooth blade 95, calls forsetting the lever I3 in its forward position, which provides a forwardpivot point for the rocker M and a short lift stroke for the table 9.This also places the table 9 in its upper initial position so as tominimize the amount of extension required in the rod BI for supportingthe cutter at the proper distance above the table 9.

Next acan is placed on the table in contact with the positioning shoe 93and pedal I I is depressed. This elevates the table 9 to force the caninto the cutter, which removes the top. Thereafter the pedal I I isreleased, whereupon the can descends. The can may then be removed andemptied and the top knocked out of the cutter assembly I5. The can maythen. if desired, be inverted and have its bottom out out. Upon thisremoval, the can is dropped into the opening ZI and into the compartmentI9. The pedal 23 is depressed, with the result already described, theflattened can finally dropping through the opening I29.

To operateupon large cans, the lever I3 is placed" initsrearwardposition (Fig. 4). Thisdepresses the tabler9lto a new andlowerstartingposition and pivots the rocker 4| for greater table lift.Thecutter assembly I1 is then applied and operation proceeds as before,except that knockout of the can lids is-accomplished by pushing with anyhandy rod between the spokes of'the-head I99;

Ifthe' contents: of. a can spill during any openingoperation, they arecaught in a depression lli'formed inthe top. 35 and drained outrearwardly over a lip I13.

, The apparatus-has. certain advantages by reasonof its arrangements ofparts. The arrangement. of theyoke for supporting the assembly I5 or I1.and its. relationship to the casters 3 so that it-may be used as an armto trundle the apparatus about when it is tilted on the casters 3.Operation of the lever I3 is conveniently performed by the left handwhen an operator is standing in front of the machine in order totread onthe pedals II and 23 with his left and right feet, respectively. Hisright hand canv con,- veniently drop the containers into the.compartment; it. Both hands may be used to position the container on thetable 9.. Because of the nonwheel'ed legs 5. and the. position of the.pedals II and 2:3; operative reactions on the floor serve to holdtheapparatus in position,

The means for changing the throw of pivot.

point 39 on rocker 4i isa. mechanically convenient one for adapting thetable lift to various sizes of cans. Moreover, it is of such a naturethat for the larger sizes of cans the table 9 is dropped into. aposition to accommodatecans of maximum length for a given throatdistance provided by the yoke 1i with its attached assemblyv I1. cutterassemblies may be conveniently stocked for simple application to theyoke by means of the hand-wheel 81. The toggle links MI and I 45 buckleupwardly in retracting the ram, and straddle both their own operatinglinkages and the elevating rocker linkage for the table 9, both of thelatter linkages extending downward in the cabinet I. This makes acompact arrangement wherein only the receptacle I9 forms an extension;and this extension is advantageous in positioning the outlet I29 for aconvenient dropout of the meshed cans to one side of the cabinet, wherea pile of such cans will not interfere with the actions of the operatorstanding in front of the machine.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

I claim:

1. In a can opening device of the type comprising a support, adownwardly directed cutter fixed to the support, and table for holding acan carried by the support for vertical movement below and in line withthe cutter, said table being adapted for upward movement toward thecutter for cutting the top of a can on the table, and for downwardretrastive movement away from the cutter; means for determining high andlow initial positions of the table and for moving the table from eitherof said positions toward the cutter comprising a bracket fixed to thesupport Various 7 having a slot formed to have its ends offset in onedirection, a pin shiftable in the slot between a first position at oneend of the slot and a second position at the other end of the slot,means carried by the support for shifting the pin between its saidpositions, a rocker having a slot formed to have its ends offset in theopposite direction with respect to the ends of the slot in the bracketand mounted on said pin for rocking movement on the axis of the pin, thepin being shiftable from one end of the slot in the rocker to the other,means coupling one end of the rocker and the table, and a foot pedal andmeans coupling the foot pedal to the other end of the rocker for movingthe table toward the cutter, the pedal having a raised retractedposition wherein the table occupies either its high or low initialpositions depending upon whether the pin is at one end or the other ofthe slots.

2. In a can opening device as set forth in claim 1, detent meansoperative between the rocker andthe support for preventing; the rockerfrom moving endwise when the pedal is in its retracted position.

3. A can opening device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bracket hasa recess receiving the coupling means between the foot pedal and therocker when the pedal is in its retracted position for preventing therocker from moving endwise.

4. A can opening device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the slots areformed with the ofiset ends by being made arcuate, with the slot in thebracket and the slot in the rocker reversely curved.

5. A can opening device comprising a cabinet, a cutter yoke extendingupward from the top of the cabinet and carrying a downwardly directedcutter spaced from the top of the cabinet, a stem extending through anopening in the top of the cabinet and adapted for vertical movement inalignment with the cutter, a can table on the upper end of the stem, abracket mounted inside the cabinet, a horizontal rock shaft journalledin said bracket extending out of the cabinet through an opening in thecabinet, an operating lever on the outer end of the rock shaft, thebracket having an arcuate slot centered generally in the axis of theshaft and concave downward, a radial arm fixed on the rock shaftcarrying a horizontal pin extending through said arcuate slot, the pinbeing shiftable from one end of the slot to the other by rocking theshaft by means of the lever, a rocker having an upwardly concave arcuateslot receiving the pin and being adapted for rocking movement on theaxis of the pin, the

pin being shiftable from one end of the slot in the rocker to the other,a foot pedal pivoted at one end inside the cabinet and extending out ofthe cabinet at its other end through an opening in the cabinet, acoupling between one end of the rocker and the stem, a coupling betweenthe foot pedal and the other end of the rocker for lifting the stem andtable when the pedal is pushed down, and spring means biasing the pedalupward to a raised retracted position wherein the table occupies eithera high or low initial position depending upon whether the pin is at oneend or the other of the slots.

6. A can opening device as set forth in claim 5 wherein the bracket hasa recess receiving the end of the coupling between the foot pedal and.the rocker where it is connected to the rocker when the pedal is in itsretracted position for preventing the rocker from moving endwise on thepin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 234,527 Brock Nov. 16, 1880 266,398 Stoddard Oct. 24, 1882418,877 Salisbury Jan. 7, 1890 508,332 Morgan Nov. 7, 1893 627,752Herron June 27, 1899 969,720 Pickett Sept. 6, 1910 1,080,636 JohnsonDec. 9, 1913 1,317,001 Clymer Sept. 23, 1919. 1,376,798 Courtney May 3,1921 1,505,833 Wells Aug. 19, 1924 1,780,713 McEwan Nov. 4, 19302,012,955 Cabot Sept. 3, 1935 2,178,461 Apprill Oct. 31, 1939 2,212,047Ross Aug. 20, 1940 2,548,807

Morgan et al. Apr. 10, 1951

